as in tried
to make an effort to do
after attempting—and failing—to start the lawn mower on my own, I finally succeeded with a neighbor's help don't even attempt walking on your broken foot
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Recent Examples of attempted
The refs attempted to escort Fatu to the back, but he was attacked from behind by Rhodes.
—
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
All three victims were shot and killed outside the Sky Market on 85th Avenue and International Boulevard, allegedly after the brothers attempted to purchase marijuana from another person who was at the store, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
As police attempted to subdue Safar, another officer suffered facial injuries and a laceration to his torso.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Natalie has attempted to escape their fates by meticulously projecting a simpler life, and in the process created a new kind of prison for herself.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for attempted
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
All three victims were shot and killed outside the Sky Market on 85th Avenue and International Boulevard, allegedly after the brothers attempted to purchase marijuana from another person who was at the store, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
As police attempted to subdue Safar, another officer suffered facial injuries and a laceration to his torso.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Natalie has attempted to escape their fates by meticulously projecting a simpler life, and in the process created a new kind of prison for herself.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for attempted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempted
tried
Verb
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The third witness to testify Wednesday was Juan Lopez Vega, deputy field office director of ICE's enforcement and removal operations in Miami, who unsuccessfully tried to quash a subpoena compelling him to show up in court.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
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Heather Myers, Founder and CEO of Spark no9, tried them all.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempted. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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